Sacred Geography,Antiquarianism and Visual Erudition: Benito Arias Montano and the Maps in the Antwerp Polyglot Bible

The final volume of the Polyglot Bible, edited by Benito Arias Montano and printed in Antwerp by Christophe Plantin, was published in 1571–1572. Forming part of the Bible's Apparatus, the volume contains a number of essays, illustrations and maps by Montano relating to questions raised by the biblical text. Montano's maps were a product of his philological training in Oriental languages and exegesis, his profound interest in antiquarianism and geography and his practice of visualizing and tabulating knowledge. He designed his maps both as study aids and as devotional‐meditative devices. Moreover, the maps reflect his wider philosophical outlook, according to which Holy Scripture contains the foundations of all natural philosophy. Montano's case encourages us to re‐examine early modern Geographia sacra in the light of the broader scholarly trends of the period.     

THE EFFECTIVE DURATION OF EARTHQUAKE STRONG MOTION

The duration of strong ground shaking during earthquakes can play an important role in the response of foundation materials and structures, particularly when strength or stiffness degradation is encountered. A thorough seismic hazard assessment should therefore include an estimation of the expected duration of strong motion, which first requires criteria to define the part of an accelerogram considered to represent the duration of strong ground motion. Some 30 different definitions of strong motion duration are reviewed and classified into generic groups. Problems that arise with the use of these definitions for duration are highlighted. A new definition of duration is presented using a previously unexplored option which identifies the part of the record where the main energy is contained and constrains this strong shaking phase by absolute criteria. This new definition is shown to give consistently meaningful durations for strong earthquake accelerograms from an engineering viewpoint. The correlations between the new definition of duration and magnitude, soil conditions and distance are explored as a first step towards the development of predictive equations.     

A NON-PARAMETRIC APPROACH TO ATTENUATION RELATIONS

Abstract

A non-parametric multidimensional regression method is proposed for the prediction of seismic ground motion parameters. The main features which distinguish the method from standard regression procedures are: (1) The relationship between the input and output variables is not selected a priori by a prediction law, (2) an arbitrary number of input variables Can be taken into account, provided that an appropriate data base exists, and (3) the computational procedure is very simple. The results can be easily updated when new information becomes available. The method has been applied for the derivation of attenuation relations by using a combination of databases compiled by other researchers. In the majority of the cases discussed in this paper, the method was used for the prediction of horizontal peak ground acceleration as a function of magnitude and distance. In some cases, ground conditions were also taken into account. Some results on the attenuation relations of peak ground velocity and displacement, as well as Arias intensity, are also presented.     

‘Imago Mundi’ bibliography (of literature,mainly published in 1974–1975.)

Lexicon zur Geschichte der Kartographie von den Anfängen bis zum ersten Weltkrieg edited by Ingrid Kretschmer, Johannes Dörflinger and Franz Wawrik with the editorial assistance of Elisabeth Tomasi. Die Kartographie und ihre Randgebiete: Enzyklopädie, Vol. C/1 &; 2. Vienna: Franz Deuticke, 1986. Pp. xxiv + 988. ÖS.3000.00.

Cartography in France 1660–1848: Science, engineering, and statecraft by Josef W. Konvitz. Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press, 1987. 0 226 45094 5. Pp. xx + 194, illustrations. $31.95.

De Physique Existentie dezes Landes. Amsterdam: Rijksmuseum, 1987. Pp. 271. Hfl.39.00.

Z Dejin Geodezie a Kartografie 5. Rozpravy Národního Technického Muzea v Praze 107. Prague: Národní Technické Museum, 1986. Pp. 222.

Catalogue of the MRIO‐Miscellaneous Maps of the Survey of India (1742–1872). New Delhi: National Archives of India, 1982. Pp. viii + 366.

Catalogue of Forest Maps of the Survey of India. New Delhi: National Archives of India, 1984. Pp. viii + 174. Rs.28.00.

National Archives of India. Catalogue of Printed &; Published Maps. New Delhi, 1986. 2 volumes: pp. iv + 446; 322. Rs. 145.00.     

Index To Volume 42

Traditionally, realism has been considered as a naive attempt to copy reality objectively. This article refutes this assertion by demonstrating that Benito Pérez Galdós's narrative aesthetics do not construct any reality organically; instead, his novels deconstruct it. Using the notion of the suppléer by Jacques Derrida and reflections on the emergence of modernity in Spain, the author proposes that the constant formal and thematic reconsiderations found in La incógnita and both versions of Realidad question the possibility of presenting a coherent and conclusive reality. Rather, they are symptoms of the crisis brought forth by the inauguration of modernity in Spain.     

论法西斯意大利的外交选择

凡尔赛格局中,法西斯意大利既非“有”的国家,也非“无”的国家,而是介乎“有”与“无”之间的中间力量。意大利最后盟随德国,并不是一开始就有的既定方针,而是它在两次世界大战之间或主动、或被动的外交选择的结果。